Our Team

Ruth Lynn Seelenfreund Frommer was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY by young parents who hailed from Philadelphia and Brooklyn. After graduating with an accounting specialization from Wharton / UPenn, Ruth embarked on a career in Corporate Accounting. Having filled the role of Staff Accountant up to CFO, Ruth is knowledgeable about the finance requirements of businesses large and small, for-profit and not-for-profit. Her experience in private education, at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and her service on several boards have prepared her for the position of Director of Finance at Clal. In addition to keeping meticulous accounting records, Ruth’s passions are family, swimming, cooking, live jazz, good friends, and supporting organizations that strive to correct our world’s injustices. Ruth is married to Ken Amron. 

Rabbi Julia Appel is passionate about building Jewish community that meets the challenges of the 21st century — in which Jewish identity is a choice, not an obligation. Rabbi Appel spearheads Clal’s Jewish community training programs in innovation and entrepreneurship. Since 2022, she has developed and led The Belonging Project, which enables Jewish communal institutions to measure and improve the culture of belonging among their community members. Thirty congregations and over 5000 congregational survey respondents have participated so far, including some of the largest congregations in North America. Read More

Rabbi Julia Appel is passionate about building Jewish community that meets the challenges of the 21st century — in which Jewish identity is a choice, not an obligation. Rabbi Appel spearheads Clal’s Jewish community training programs in innovation and entrepreneurship. Since 2022, she has developed and led The Belonging Project, which enables Jewish communal institutions to measure and improve the culture of belonging among their community members. Thirty congregations and over 5000 congregational survey respondents have participated so far, including some of the largest congregations in North America. Read More

Shelli Aderman, she/her has been fortunate to work as a theatrical stage manager, Jewish educator, and synagogue administrator for over thirty years. Her diverse career complements her role at Clal, where she is responsible for the logistical and administrative aspects of Clal’s varied projects, including, The Belonging Project, Stand and See, Rabbis Without Borders, Glean, and Spark, among others. Shelli continues to be an active lay leader and educator at Town and Village Synagogue, and she resides with her wife, Narda E. Alcorn, and their children in New York City.